Aberdeen have sacked Jimmy Thelin after 18 months in charge as the Swede paid the price for the club’s dismal run of form.
The Dons lost 1-0 at Falkirk yesterday, their fourth defeat in five games, and Thelin leaves the club languishing in eighth place in the Premiership table.
Daily Mail Sport understands the 47-year-old was informed of the decision this afternoon following crunch talks with the club’s hierarchy.
The news of his sacking was leaked to journalists in his homeland, with Aberdeen finally confirming that they had parted company shortly before 7pm.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou has been installed among the early frontrunners to become Aberdeen’s next manager.
Thelin made a flying start to his time at Pittodrie, winning 15 of his first 16 matches last season to fuel belief that the Dons could mount a title challenge.
Jimmy Thelin has been sacked after four defeats in his last five games as Aberdeen manager
Thelin’s departure comes the season after he led Aberdeen to a historic Scottish Cup triumph
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is among the early front-runners to take over at Pittodrie
But a dreadful run of 14 matches without a win eventually saw them slide back down the table and eventually finish fifth.
Their season was salvaged by Scottish Cup glory as they beat Celtic on penalties at Hampden, winning the trophy for the first time in 35 years and securing group-stage football in the Europa Conference League.
But, despite being lavishly funded in the transfer market, Thelin has failed to build on last season’s cup success and has now paid the price by losing his job.
An official club statement from Aberdeen last night read: ‘Following a club record-breaking start to life in the north east, Jimmy led Aberdeen to Scottish Cup glory in May last year, followed by qualification for the UEFA Conference League for the second time in three seasons.
‘However, the 2024-25 league campaign ultimately concluded with a fifth-place finish and, so far this season, both results and performances have fallen below the required standard and have not been commensurate with the level of investment made in the first-team squad and football operation.
‘Jimmy will depart the club alongside his assistant, Christer Persson. First-team coach Peter Leven will take temporary charge of first-team affairs, supported by Craig Hinchliffe and Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel, who will also lead the process to appoint the Club’s next permanent manager.
‘Everyone at Aberdeen Football Club would like to thank Jimmy and Christer for their efforts during their time at Pittodrie and wish them both every success in their future careers.’
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said: ‘In wishing Jimmy and Christer the very best for the future I want to thank them for delivering our first Scottish Cup win in 35 years last May.
‘However, after significant investment in recent windows, we have not kicked on in the way we hoped or expected following that success.
‘We have tried to give the situation as much time as possible, but recent performances have been significantly below the standards we expect, and we believe it is now right to take a different direction.’
Aberdeen face back-to-back games against Rangers over the coming week, starting at Ibrox on Tuesday night before the sides clash again at Pittodrie on Sunday.
Thelin, who had cited a lack of fight among the players after the loss at Falkirk, added: ‘Today my time as manager at Aberdeen comes to an end. It is with great respect for this historic club that I accept this decision.
‘Results ultimately decide the tenure of this profession, and as such I take my share of responsibility.
‘I believe wholly in the work that was done; however, football doesn’t always allow time for belief to become results.
‘I leave wishing success to everyone involved both on and off the pitch.’
